Comparison

NIOSH Sound Level Meter vs ExView®

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

This free app measures sound levels and noise exposure using your smartphone. Developed by acoustics experts, it provides professional-grade metrics and guidance on hearing protection and noise prevention.

Highlights
  • Sound level measurement
  • Noise dosimetry
  • Hearing hazard information
  • Hearing protector guidelines
  • Data reporting and sharing
  • Microphone calibration
Features
Read full description

This award-winning app combines the best features of professional sound level meters and noise dosimeters into a simple, easy-to-use package. - Developed by experienced acoustics engineers and hearing loss experts. - Completely FREE – No ads, no limited features, and no in-app purchases. - Tested and validated (accuracy ± 2 dBA) according to standards in a reverberant chamber at NIOSH acoustics lab – the only proper method to validate accuracy. - Trusted source and world-class expertise in noise and hearing research. - Meets Type 2 requirements of IEC 61672:3 SLM standard when used w/ external microphone.* - Provides the most relevant metrics found in professional sound instruments today. Averages such as LAeq and TWA, Max and Peak Levels, Noise Dose and Projected Dose according to NIOSH and OSHA standards, and all three major weighting networks (A, C, and Z). - Capability to calibrate either internal or external microphone. Reporting and Sharing data. - Up-to-date informational screens on what noises are considered hazardous, how to conduct a noise measurement, how to properly select a hearing protector, and guidelines for preventing hearing loss, all at the palm of your hand. - Excellent and timely support from NIOSH hearing experts. - Support for Apple's Health (Hearing) app. * Celestina M, Hrovat J, Kardous CA [2018]. Smartphone-based sound level measurement apps: Evaluation of compliance with international sound level meter standards. Applied Acoustics, 139:119-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2018.04.011 More resources (including instructional videos and a user manual), a science blog, FAQ, and information about how to interpret results can be found on the NIOSH SLM website https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/app.html

About

ExView®

This app connects to compatible meters to collect, trend, and analyze environmental data remotely. It allows for real-time monitoring, setting alarms, and generating custom PDF reports with photos. Data can be easily shared with team members.

Highlights
  • Remote data collection and trending
  • Real-time dashboard view
  • Bluetooth connectivity up to 90m
  • Programmable high/low alarms
  • Export data as CSV
  • Generate custom PDF reports
  • Attach photos to reports
Read full description

About the ExView® The EXTECH 250W Series compatible with the ExView® Mobile App. Connect up to 8 meters of any combination to measure and trend various parameters to help accurately diagnose environmental conditions and inspect/maintain HVAC and rotating equipment. The ExView® Mobile App is an easy-to-use powerful mobile data collection and reporting app. The dashboard provides a quick at-a-glance view of real-time data being collected from all of your EXTECH 250W connected meters. Users can monitor and collect data remotely from the meter(s), this is especially useful when you need to collect data in difficult to access areas. The meter(s) will communicate with the app via Bluetooth® up to a distance of 90 m (295 ft). In addition, you can set min/max alarms to improve response times to potential issues. The app enables you to quickly share data with team members either as a quick .CSV file or a comprehensive PDF report that can include photos of the impacted area/equipment. App Highlights Include: • Portable data collection, trending, analysis and reporting • Visualize Data and trends on your mobile device • Programmable High/Low audible alarms • Export data in .CSV file format • Generate Custom report in PDF • Take snapshots of the measurement area with your smart device • Day mode/Dark mode screen feature • Share data files directly from your mobile device • Connect up to 8 EXTECH 250W meters, any combination • AN250W Anemometer • LT250W Light Meter • SL250W Sound Level Meter • RH250W Hygro-Thermometer • RPM250W Laser Tachometer Please supply all feedback to: feedback@extech.com Thank you. EXTECH Digital Solutions Team

Screenshots

NIOSH Sound Level Meter4 screens
ExView®4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: NIOSH Sound Level Meter at 17K against ExView®'s 1. ExView®'s advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ExView® holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NIOSH Sound Level Meter has 17K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NIOSH Sound Level Meter ships an update every 5 months, ExView® every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
NIOSH Sound Level Meter versus ExView®: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNIOSH Sound Level MeterExView®
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (17K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings17K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB92 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEA LABExtech Instruments

Customer experience

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

All ratings16,912 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews200 reviews
Positive64.5%
Neutral10.5%
Negative25.0%

ExView®

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inconsistent or inaccurate readings in some cases
  • Inability to properly connect and use external microphones
  • Freezing or crashing when minimizing the app

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to save and export measurement sessions
  • Option to run the app in the background while the screen is locked
  • Integration with Apple Health for long-term noise exposure tracking
  • Frequency-specific noise measurements (e.g., A-weighted, C-weighted)

ExView®

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

NIOSH Sound Level Meter

No in-app purchases

None

ExView®

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NIOSH Sound Level Meter free?
NIOSH Sound Level Meter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ExView® free?
ExView® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NIOSH Sound Level Meter or ExView®?
ExView® is rated higher. NIOSH Sound Level Meter averages 4.7 out of 5 from 17K ratings, while ExView® averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do NIOSH Sound Level Meter or ExView® have ads?
Neither NIOSH Sound Level Meter nor ExView® shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NIOSH Sound Level Meter or ExView®?
NIOSH Sound Level Meter ships an update every 5 months, and ExView® every 6 months. Most recently, NIOSH Sound Level Meter was updated on November 9, 2026 and ExView® on November 3, 2026.

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